Dear Livia,

You’re seven months old! Somehow that age sounds so advanced to me. You’re no longer a teeny baby but now a big one.

I’m working on relaxing about your physical development since all the experts say children will grow and change at their own rates. Your favorite position, still, is lying flat on your back where you can see the world pass you by! You do roll, squiggle and scoot around by turning on your side and kicking your legs. In fact, you’re never in the same position in your crib that we placed you in when we get you in the morning; you like to kick around until your body is short-ways in the crib, head and feet butting up tight against the railings. Soon you won’t be able to fit your body in this position because you’re growing in height really quickly.

Your dad and I love watching you talk. You’re exploring new sounds all the time, and constantly experimenting with lung power and volume control! I’m actually avoiding certain more grown-up restaurants now because I’m not sure how loud you’ll get over a meal. Sometimes I feel like a big meanie because I laugh at the words you say when you’re sad… but it sounds so cute that I can’t help it. Going hand-in-hand with talking is the development of Attitude. Most of the time you continue to be really mellow and content, but every so often a screech or cry will let me know that you absolutely do not appreciate having your clothes changed or being strapped into your carseat. Ah, the emergence of the will!

Speaking of meals, this past month you began rejecting baby foods for some reason. I’m doing my best to get vegetables into your tummy, but you gag ferociously on sweet potatoes, acorn squash and green beans. (I was HOPING you wouldn’t be the sweet tooth that I am. Darn.) Yesterday you tried applesauce for the first time and, tada!, loved it! Feigning sneakiness, I mixed a portion of squash into the applesauce for dinner tonight, and though you ate most of it, you still knew yucky squash was present and gagged to show your disapproval. Sheesh. What’s a mom to do?

God is so good to us by giving you to us through adoption. He has filled our hearts with happiness at being your parents—and I believe you are the best birthday present I could have enjoyed upon turning 27. You also are quite blessed by all the love that surrounds you; Daddy, Mama, Nana & Papa, Grandma & Grandpa, Great Grandma & Great Grandpa, Uncle Adam and Uncle Andrew, Aunt Kris and Auntie Bean, your Grand Aunties and many more love you sooooo much! You are special. As I say as night when I tuck you in, Jesus loves you and so do I.

Love,
Mama